Spontaneous transition of 2:1 atrioventricular block to 1:1 atrioventricular conduction during atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia: evidence supporting the intra-Hisian or infra-Hisian area as the site of block

Abstract

Introduction: The incidence of spontaneous transition of 2:1 AV block to 1:1 AV conduction during AV nodal reentrant tachycardia has not been well reported. Among previous studies, controversy also existed about the site of the 2:1 AV block during AV nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Methods and results: In patients with 2:1 AV block during AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, the incidence of spontaneous transition of 2:1 AV block to 1:1 AV conduction and change of electrophysiologic properties during spontaneous transition were analyzed. Among the 20 patients with 2:1 AV block during AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, a His-bundle potential was absent in blocked beats during 2:1 AV block in 8 patients, and the maximal amplitude of the His-bundle potential in the blocked beats was the same as that in the conducted beats in 4 patients and was significantly smaller than that in the conducted beats in 8 patients (0.49 +/- 0.25 mV vs 0.16 +/- 0.07 mV, P = 0.007). Spontaneous transition of 2:1 AV block to 1:1 AV conduction occurred in 15 (75%) of 20 patients with 2:1 AV block during AV nodal reentrant tachycardia. Spontaneous transition of 2:1 AV block to 1:1 AV conduction was associated with transient right and/or left bundle branch block. The 1:1 AV conduction with transient bundle branch block was associated with significant His-ventricular (HV) interval prolongation (66 +/- 19 ms) compared with 2:1 AV block (44 +/- 6 ms, P < 0.01) and 1:1 AV conduction without bundle branch block (43 +/- 6 ms, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: The 2:1 AV block during AV nodal reentrant tachycardia is functional; the level of block is demonstrated to be within or below the His bundle in a majority of patients with 2:1 AV block during AV nodal reentrant tachycardia, and a minority are possibly high in the junction between the AV node and His bundle.